ROSES 2013 Sea Level Rise | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NASA ROSES 2013 - Sea Level Rise (SLR) (NNH13ZDA001N)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the Sea Level Rise (SLR) program element offered by NASA Headquarters under ROSES 2013 (Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2013). It is listed under Funding Opportunity Number NNH13ZDA001N and sits within NASA's larger, umbrella-style ROSES research solicitation.

2) What is ROSES 2013?

ROSES 2013 is NASA's broad research announcement that solicits proposals across many program areas. It supports basic and applied research and enabling technology that advances NASA Science Mission Directorate goals, particularly within Earth Science, and may also align (as applicable) with related NASA research programs in Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics.

3) What is the main purpose of the Sea Level Rise (SLR) element?

The SLR element is intended to fund work that directly supports the understanding, monitoring, modeling, or application of sea level rise science using NASA-relevant observations and methods, consistent with the detailed requirements provided in the ROSES appendices for that element.

4) What kinds of activities does ROSES 2013 generally support?

ROSES 2013 is intentionally broad and includes activities such as:

• Theory development, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data
• Research using aircraft, balloons, suborbital rockets, and commercially provided suborbital flight
• Development of experimental techniques and concepts that could feed future NASA missions
• Development of advanced technologies relevant to NASA missions
• Laboratory analysis approaches for samples (extraterrestrial returned samples and terrestrial samples used to validate or interpret NASA Earth observations)
• Determination of atomic or compositional parameters needed to analyze space-based measurements and samples
• Earth surface observations and field campaigns that support NASA Earth system science missions
• Integrated Earth system modeling
• Applied information systems that help convert Earth science results into societal benefits

5) Does this opportunity require using NASA data or NASA capabilities?

The solicitation is meant to fund work that uses NASA data and capabilities, improves understanding of Earth system processes, and helps translate Earth observations into usable knowledge for science and society. For the Sea Level Rise element specifically, proposals are expected to connect directly to sea level rise science using NASA-relevant observations and methods.

6) What is the funding activity category and CFDA number?

The funding activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development. The CFDA listing provided is 43.001 (Science).

7) How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels and award structures are flexible and depend on the specific program element and the scale of the proposed work. The announcement indicates that budgets can range from under $100,000 per year (for narrower efforts like focused data analysis) to more than $1,000,000 per year (for larger efforts such as substantial technology or hardware development).

8) How much total funding is available overall?

Total funding varies by program element and is described as generally ranging from less than $1 million to several million dollars. Depending on the element's goals and the quality and quantity of submissions, NASA could select anywhere from a handful to several dozen proposals.

9) What kinds of award mechanisms might NASA use?

NASA may make awards using several legal mechanisms, depending on the project and applicant type. These include grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers.

10) What is the typical project duration (period of performance)?

The typical period of performance for ROSES awards is about four years. Some elements may specify shorter or longer durations, with a stated maximum of five years.

11) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. Cost sharing or matching is not required for this opportunity.

12) Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is described as broadly open by organizational type. Domestic and foreign organizations, government and private entities, and for-profit and non-profit organizations may submit. There is also no restriction on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

13) Can non-U.S. organizations apply or participate?

Non-U.S. organizations can participate, but NASA policy and practical funding rules apply. In general, NASA provides funding only to U.S. institutions. Non-U.S. organizations typically must participate under a "no exchange of funds" policy, meaning NASA does not provide funding to the non-U.S. entity.

14) Where are the rules for non-U.S. participation explained?

The solicitation directs proposers to consult the NASA Guidebook for Proposers and notes that non-U.S. organizations should review relevant sections, including Appendix B guidance and special instructions addressing cases involving U.S. personnel requesting NASA support.

15) Are there limits on the number of proposals an organization can submit?

The information provided indicates there is no restriction on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

16) How do applicants submit proposals?

Proposals had to be submitted electronically, either through NASA's NSPIRES system or via Grants.gov. However, organizational registration in NSPIRES was required in all cases.

17) If submitting through Grants.gov, is NSPIRES still required?

Yes. If submitting via Grants.gov, registration in both Grants.gov and NSPIRES was required. The opportunity states that organizational registration in NSPIRES is required regardless of submission route.

18) Who must be registered in NSPIRES?

The solicitation specifies that:

• An authorized organizational representative must submit the proposal.
• All principal investigators (PIs) and co-investigators must be registered in NSPIRES, regardless of whether the submission is through NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

19) Are there recommendations for avoiding last-minute submission issues?

Yes. NASA strongly encouraged applicants to begin registration and system familiarization early to avoid last-minute submission problems.

20) What were the key dates listed for this Sea Level Rise opportunity?

The source listing identifies the following dates for the Sea Level Rise (SLR) listing:

• Posted Date: April 12, 2013
• Original Closing Date: May 31, 2013
• Current Closing Date: May 31, 2013
• Archive Date: June 30, 2013

21) Does ROSES use different due dates for different program elements?

Yes. The ROSES umbrella announcement uses multiple due dates that vary by program element. Detailed due dates and element-specific requirements were located in the ROSES tables and appendices referenced by the solicitation materials.

22) Is a Notice of Intent (NOI) required?

The ROSES umbrella announcement commonly requests Notices of Intent for many elements ahead of proposal submission. The element-specific requirements and timing were described in the ROSES tables and appendices referenced in the solicitation.

23) Where should applicants look for amendments, clarifications, or updates?

Applicants were directed to monitor NSPIRES for updates and to use NASA's amendment archive for clarifications, corrections, and changes.

24) Who should be contacted with questions about a specific program element like Sea Level Rise?

Program element-specific questions were to be directed to the relevant program officers listed in the appendices.

25) Who is the point of contact for general ROSES policies and procedures?

For general policies and procedures under ROSES, the listed point of contact was Max Bernstein at NASA Headquarters (Science Mission Directorate), with contact routed through the general ROSES support email (sara@nasa.gov) and the provided phone number.